Council seeks comment on proposed permanent dog access arrangements at Narrawallee Beach
Dog access arrangements on Narrawallee Beach have attracted a significant amount of interest in recent years, and we understand there is a need to strike a balance between environmental protection and a range of other uses at this location.
Council is now seeking public comment on proposed permanent dog access arrangements at Narrawallee Beach, which will be on public exhibition for four weeks from:
- Monday 6 May to Sunday 2 June 2024.
Interested residents and property owners are invited to comment on the proposed permanent dog access arrangements by completing a short Online Survey on this web page.
Hard copies of the survey are available at our customer services centres in Ulladulla and Nowra.
Detailed written submissions can also be made via:
- EMAIL: council@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au
- MAIL: PO BOX 42, Nowa NSW 2541
Feedback received during the exhibition period will be included in a report to Council for final determination in July 2024.
Environmental assessment
The findings of a new environmental assessment, called a Review of Environmental Factors (REF), confirm the dog off-leash exercise area can remain in place on a permanent basis.
The environmental assessment will be published on 6 May, in accordance with section 171 (4) of the Environmental Planning & Assessment Regulation 2021, as a matter of public interest. The REF is available to view in the Document Library on this page. A REF cannot be adjusted as a result of community consultation.
The interim dog access arrangements will remain in effect during the public exhibition period and until a final decision is taken by the Council in July 2024.
Proposed permanent dog access arrangements
Narrawallee Inlet remains an important nesting area for endangered shorebirds, and the northern end of the beach and Narrawallee Inlet Reserve needs to remain off-limits to dogs.
Similarly, the intertidal zone (including the rocky outcrop) at the very southern end of Narrawallee Beach provides shorebird foraging habitat. The southern end of the beach, accessed from the Surfers Avenue stairway and Victor Avenue stairway, is used regularly by young families and others for swimming. This area will need to remain dog-prohibited at all times.
The proposed permanent dog access arrangements for Narrawallee Beach are that:
North
The northern part of Narrawallee Beach, from the un-named island across to Narrawallee Inlet Reserve, will remain dog prohibited, including:
- Narrawallee Creek Inlet Reserve
- Narrawallee Creek Inlet, including on the sand banks when exposed by tidal action
- Narrawallee Creek Nature Reserve (National Parks and Wildlife Service)
Central
A timed dog off-leash area will remain in place in the central portion of the beach, from the unnamed island to the main beach access track leading to the Matron Porter Drive Reserve carpark:
- Access to the timed off-leash area is provided via six beach access tracks in Matron Porter Drive Reserve.
- Dogs must remain on-leash within Matron Porter Drive Reserve and within all beach access tracks.
South
The southern part of Narrawallee Beach from the main Matron Porter Drive Reserve beach access track will remain dog-prohibited, with no on-leash transit permitted:
- The Victor Avenue Steps and Surfers Avenue Steps will remain dog prohibited.
- The rocky outcrop adjacent to Surfers Avenue Steps will remain dog prohibited.
- People who wish to visit the southern section of Narrawallee Beach without encountering dogs can use the Surfers Avenue and Victor Avenue steps.
Please complete the Online Survey on this web page. Alternatively, send your submission to council@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au or mail Po BOX 42, Nowa NSW 2541 by Sunday, 2 June 2024.
